part of speech of compound nouns

Hello everyone,

Would you please tell me to what part of speech do these words belong ?

work permit ; video game ; bike trailer...

Should they be listed under the category of:

a) compound nouns = 1 part of speech (does it exist ?)

b) noun (video; work; bike)
+ noun (game; permit; trailer) =
2 similar parts of speech

c) descriptive adjectives OR nouns functioning as adjectives ? (video; work; bike...)
+ nouns (permit; game; trailer) =
2 different parts of speech ?

Many thanks.
I wish you all a merry Christmas.
Hela

Does it really matter?

Yes, I need to know, if you wouldn't mind.
Thank you. :)

They are compound nouns, but the first noun is functioning as an adjective IMO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tdol

They are compound nouns, but the first noun is functioning as an adjective IMO.

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So, if I am asked such a question in a grammar exercise, this is what I should answer ?

For such questions, I simply refer to a dictionary. The part of speech does not have to be dependent on the sentence, hence, if a dictionary gives a single entry for "work permit", I call it whatever the dictionary says -- in this case a noun.
The part of a sentence is quite a different matter, and a dictionary cannot help.